Personal injury

Information on how to report hazards that could cause injury or damage.

What hazards can cause damage/injury?

Any hazard in the highway (road or pavements) caused as a result of an accident, damage or vandalism may be considered a risk to the public and could result in personal injury to pedestrians, road users or possible damage to property.

The following types of damage are considered to be a risk:

• Gully or drain cover missing.
• Pedestrian guard railing protruding into the pavement or road.
• Fencing protruding into the pavement or road.
• Concrete bollard knocked over onto the pavement or road.
• Inspection cover missing or damaged.
• Bridge parapets damaged.
• Oil spillages on the road.
• Lamp columns knocked down, wires exposed or lanterns hanging loose.
• Road traffic bollards knocked down or broken.
• Sign poles knocked down or sign plates hanging loose.
• Traffic signals lights not working or traffic light head broken or hanging loose.

How do I report a problem?

You can report damage to the highway by contacting our Neighbourhood Management Team

For Bickenhill, Kingshurst and Fordbridge, Castle Bromwich, Chelmsley Wood and Smithswood. Email: neighbourhoodmanagementarea1@solihull.gov.uk or telephone Alison Lush, 0121 704 6360

For Elmdon, Lyndon, Olton, Silhill, St Alphege and Shirley East/West/South. Email: neighbourhoodmanagementarea2@solihull.gov.uk or telephone Caroline Naven 0121 704 6360

For Blythe, Dorridge and Hockley Heath, Knowle and Meriden. Email: neighbourhoodmanagementarea3@solihull.gov.uk or telephone Kath Hemmings, 0121 704 6360

or use our Report hazards that could cause injury or damage form linked right.

The report will then be classed as either an emergency or routine work based on the type of damage.

We require as much of the following information as possible to respond to your report:

• street name and area.
• location on street, ie; is it near a house number or road junction?
• description and detail of the damage.
• your name and a contact number.
• date and approximate time of damage.
• persons or vehicle registration responsible for damage (if known).
• were the police in attendance?

What happens after a problem is reported?

When a report of a hazard or damage is received the person taking the report will attempt to identify ownership and establish who is responsible for the property or street furniture from the details provided.

If the damage is clearly not our responsibility, then ownership details can be established and we will contact the respective statutory undertaker or owner who is responsible. A request will be made that they attend and make the hazard safe within a set timescale. If they are unable to meet this timescale then we will make the hazard safe and will then recover the costs.

If the responsibility cannot be established and the damage or hazard requires making safe, we will carry out the work within 2 hours and attempt to recover the costs from the property owner.

The following are some examples of street furniture and property that is not our responsibility :

• Inspection covers in the pavement or road for example; stop taps, fire hydrants, manholes and valve boxes.
• Walls built for non-highway purposes.
• Cellar covers.
• Telecommunication Cable cabinets.

For dangerous situations we aim to make a hazard safe within two hours. The damage is then assessed by a technician and an order issued for further repairs as either reactive work within 20 working days or planned work within six months, depending on the extent and location of the damage.

Contact Details

For more information please contact Roads & Traffic

Email: environment@solihull.gov.uk

In an emergency (out of hours) telephone: 0121 704 8000